Beijing,
the capital of China, is also the cultural center of China. What makes Beijing
unique compare to its neighboring Asian countries is that they have a calendar
of festivals and holidays throughout the year. Most of Chinese festivals are
scheduled based on the lunar calendar. Hence, dates will differ from year to
year. For tourists who would like to experience the Chinese festivals, we got
your back.
Below are some of the
highlighted and most celebrated festivals throughout the Land
of the Red Dragon:
Chinese New Year
Also known as the Spring
Festival by the Chinese, is the most important festival in Beijing. It signals
the first day if the first month in the lunar calendar and ends with the
Lantern Festival on the 15th. Because of its significance to the Chinese,
temples host fairs and most businesses close for at least several days. During
the festivity, the Dragon Dance and Lion Dance are traditionally performed.
Lantern Festival
On the last day of the Chinese
New Year, the Lantern Festival will be held. This is the time where Chinese
will see the full moon for the first time in the new year. It is traditionally
a time for family reunion. Moreover, the displaying of lanterns is a big event
on this day. Another important part of the festival is by eating small dumpling
balls made of rice flour.
Qingming
During April, every Chinese
family pay their respects to their deceased ancestors and to clean and decorate
their grave sites. This is the Chinese version of All Souls Day. Kites are seen
being flown in the sky during this day and symbolic money being burned. It is
because they believed it will help their ancestors in the afterlife.
Duan Wu Jie (Dragon Boat
Festival)
This festivity falls on the
fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Dragon boat races
are the most popular activity during the festival, especially in Southern
China. Additionally, a traditional part of the celebration is eating zongzi,
which are triangular, glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in banana or other
leaves.
Meet in Beijing Arts Festival
This is a month-long festival
that showcases dance, theater and music performances. Other than that, it also
features art exhibitions from Chinese and international performers as well.
Events usually takes place at various locations in Beijing in April and/or May.
National Day
The 1st of October is the
National Day of People’s
Republic of China that first started in 1949. This is where parades and
firework shows take place throughout Beijing.
Mid-Autumn Festival
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